Removing accessory crankshaft pulley

1997 MERCURY SABLE
19,980 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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JERRYSANTA
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I have the DOHC S engine (I think Mitsubishi engine). A couple of weeks ago while driving on the highway I noticed that the air conditioner was blowing warm air (it was 88 degrees outside.) Then I noticed that the engine temperature gauge was on hot. So I turned the air conditioner off and turned the heater on to try to cool it down. But the air coming out of the vents was not even warm. I pulled it over and had to get a tow.

I removed the water pump (not an easy job) and it was destroyed (the impeller inside.) I got another one and changed it, tried to start the car, but no dice. I then pulled a spark plug and using a flashlight I saw antifreeze on top of the piston. I am now in the process of removing the heads with the engine in the car. I am now trying to remove the accessory crankshaft pulley and cannot get it loose. I tried using a 24mm open end wrench on the inside bolt (would not budge), then put a 34 mm impact socket on the huge nut on the front of the pulley and used my impact wrench to no avail. According to the manual the pulley has left-handed threads so I have been of course been turning it clockwise to try to loosen it. I thought about maybe heating the crankshaft dampener that attaches to the crankshaft but am afraid of burning up any rubber on it. I would sure appreciate any suggestions.

Thank you.
Oct 8, 2008 at 9:31 PM
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IMPALASS
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Sounds like you are going in the right direction. Do you have it where the pulley will not rotate? Then try using a long cheater bar over your ratchet handle. I would use a ½ drive ratchet, the biggest you have, then take a pipe four or five feet long and slide over it. You need the leverage to break that type of toque. You will need to wedge a screwdriver in the flex plate to keep it from turning or use an air impact gun.


Also, here is a video of the job being done maybe this will help:

https://youtu.be/NZIMNkLxCMA

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers
Oct 8, 2008 at 10:03 PM
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BESTDEALSAROUND
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My AC compressor or the clutch assembly for the AC compressor started making noise and then the serpentine belt broke. Had the belt replaced and did away with the AC altogether by replacing it with a pulley bypass. Only had it fixed and running for two days and the crankshaft pulley breaks. My question is, what would cause the crankshaft pulley to break?
Aug 2, 2018 at 5:59 PM (Merged)
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WRENCHTECH
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The harmonic balancer is actually ywo pulleys connected by rubber. If you had a compressor lock up it could have easily torn up the rubber in the balancer. The crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer) is the one the drives all the others.
Aug 2, 2018 at 5:59 PM (Merged)
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LEE GILLEY
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Hi, my car will start up but none of the pulleys will turn including the crank shaft pulley! You can turn them easily by hand though. Help!
Aug 2, 2018 at 5:59 PM (Merged)
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BMRFIXIT
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Closely inspect crank shaft pulley.
Aug 2, 2018 at 5:59 PM (Merged)